Hunt

What?

I fumbled with putting on the safety and then I stumbled through the gate, confused and happy all at the same time.

She. . .stayed. . .

I shut the gate behind me and headed off.

Chapter 32

Choices

PHOENIX

I

hoped to God that I hadn’t chosen a life of torture and pain. I’d stayed with Chris for too long. I’d let him hurt me so many times.

Deep down inside, I genuinely believed that Cain could really love me.

So once again, I found myself running away and splashing through the mud.

This time though, I had clothes on. This time, I wasn’t running from Cain. I was racing with him. This time, I wasn’t scared. This time, a fierce force of courage ran through my veins. This time, hope filled my heart.

The storm battled the earth and we ran.

I passed Griff and West’s slow asses with no problem and ended up showing them the way through the trail.

I looked up at the sky. The dark clouds bulged and pushed up, showing glimpses of the moon behind their gray bellies. The rain fell faster and faster. So much water streamed down my face, yet I pushed on.

The trail transformed to drenched and muddy.

My clothes clung to my body. My hair stuck to my cheeks. I had to keep wiping water out of my eyes.

Come on, Phoenix. You can do it.

Thunder angrily roared. Lightning flashed across the dark sky and illuminated the forest with a bright white light. I almost jumped behind a tree in fear, but I was out here with Cain, West, and Griff. And they were three bad ass motherfuckers.

Just get free from the cops and everything will be fine.

Together, we raced away fast, splashing through mud puddles. We sprinted forward at top speed, so much so that the trail was a blur.

Every time I glanced over my shoulder, I only spotted Cain, West, and Griff.

No cops. We got this!

While the guys were big and muscular, I had the light frame and was able to speed much further ahead of them.

Thankfully, I didn’t need Cain to tell us where to hide. I’d spent my life hiding and after this afternoon, I knew the perfect place.

No one questioned me either. West nor Griff yelled out to ask where I was going. They all followed.

How ironic? Long ago, I ran from them. Now, I’m showing them where to run.

We left the trail and still Griff and West didn’t question it. They struggled to keep my pace. Cain’s huge ass ran behind them.

Still no cops. This is good. We should be able to be free of them tonight.

If they caught us, the police would be bad news. I didn’t know much about the Paradise police force, besides the fact that most of the cops lived in the Syndicate’s pockets.

Super dirty cops. Hell no.

Additionally, I had no idea what Pandora told the police. She could have said I had something to do with her kidnapping. If one counted that and the fact that systematic racism existed within most police structures, then my odds weren’t good at all.

Even if I had doubts about Cain and me, it would have been better to unite with the guys and figure out the best solution to get out of Paradise.

However, I had no doubts.

Goddamn it. He better throw those fucking handcuffs away. Surely, I’ve proven that I won’t run.

When we arrived at the waterfall, I had to hold my hands above my eyes to see. The rain battered down so hard.

West stared at the rising trail. “What’s up there?”

I panted. “A. . .cave.”

Griff widened his eyes. “Do we know if a bear or something is in there?”

“No. . .bears.” I bent over and touched my knees, trying to catch my breath. “Just go up. It’s. . .safe.”

West looked scared. “You sure, Phoenix?”

Cain made it to us. “Go up. We were there today.”

“Fuck, man.” West shook his head and started walking.

Griff looked back at Cain. “Do you have flashlights or—”

“I do, but that might alert the police.” Cain gestured forward. “Go up and be careful. Focus on the path. One step at a time and you’ll be fine. We’ve already done it.”

“Okay.” Griff stood there, frozen with fear.

Impatient, I grabbed his hand and tugged him along. “I got you.”

“I’m fucking terrified.”

“I know, Griff.” I led him forward. “I was scared to do it during the day, but I did.”

Cain gripped my other hand and stayed behind me.

This time, it was difficult to climb up fast. The darkness made it hard to see. The rain made the path slippery and muddy. Yet, we did it.

West ended up grabbing Griff’s hand.

Rain fell from the sky in buckets. The scent of wet earth rose around us.

We all made it up in a few minutes.

I led them into the cave behind the waterfall.

“Shit, bro.” Griff scanned the space. “This is one crazy place to take a chick. Are you sure no bears will come in here?”